U.S. stocks open higher; Alcoa rallies

NEW YORK (MarketWatch) -- U.S. stocks began Wednesday's session slightly higher, building on the previous day's modest gains. Better-than-expected results from Alcoa, Inc
AA, -1.10%
which reported earnings after the market close on Tuesday, aided markets in early morning. Investors await the minutes from the Federal Reserve Open Committee meeting due to be released at 2 p.m. Eastern for clues about the direction of future monetary policy. The S&P 500
SPX, -0.23%
opened 6.44 points, or 0.3%, higher at 1,858.64. The Dow Jones Industrial Average
DJIA, -0.32%
opened 68 points, or 0.4%, higher at 16,324.38. The Nasdaq Composite
COMP, -0.01%
began the day up 21.79 points, or 0.5%, at 4,135.65.

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